Straight talk with David Tusing

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Straight Talk with David Tusing :: Winner of Journalism at the IBDA'a Media Student Award held in Dubai

David Lalzakham Tusing

David Tusing has given a proud moment for the Manipuris. On 30 Nov 2004, David, a Manipuri studying in Bangalore, won an award for Journalism at the IBDA'a Media Student Award held in Dubai.

This award is organized by the Dubai Media City annually with participants from media students all over the world. David was the only student from India who was nominated in the Journalism Category.

David studies in a media institute called COMMITS (Convergence Institute of Media Management and Information Technology Studies) in Bangalore.

E-pao had a tete-a-tete with David Tusing recently.
Read about the award winning news here.

Browse through a picture gallery taken during the IBDAA and tour to Dubai here.

E-Pao: Please tell a bit more about yourself and your family
David Tusing: I come from Churachandpur, Manipur. My full name is David Lalzakham Tusing. My father's name is Lalremthang Tusing. I am a Hmar. I have been studying in South India for many years now. I did my schooling in Ooty and then my Bachelor's in Mysore at Mahajana's College where I studied Journalism for three years.

In the final year, I was awarded the Gold Medal in Journalism by Mysore University. At present, I'm studying Audio Visual Communication in Bangalore at an institute called Convergence Institute of Media Management and Information Technology Studies (Commits). It is a two-year course and I am in the final year.

E-Pao: What is your personal feeling after winning this prestigious award ?
David Tusing: After the award, it has been like a dream. I have done interviews with all the major newspapers here in Bangalore and some magazines in Dubai. It has been an honour, and I am proud to tell people, I am from Manipur.

E-Pao: What were you expecting when you arrived in Dubai for the final?
David Tusing: As cliched as it may sound, I never thought I would win honestly. All finalists had their own stalls where guests and important people came to view your work. I saw the other entries from other countries like the U.K and Egypt and I never thought I'd make it.

E-Pao: Please tell the e-pao reader what you experience in the final moment before and after winning the award?
David Tusing: The award function looked exactly like the Oscar Awards that you see on T.V. - beautiful, well-dressed people everywhere. The most important people in Dubai were present that night. Roundtables, food, drinks et al.

I wore a kurta to the function. It was quite funny. People from other countries were a little confused that I was representing India. They asked me why I was wearing Indian clothes when I should be from China.

There were giant projections screens. All nominees were first announced and displayed on the screen. Then from an envelope, the winner is announced, As soon as they said the winner is from India, I almost fell off the chair! The cameras and lights were suddenly on me and I could see my face on the screen. From there, it was complete delirium.

E-Pao: Tell us a little bit about your personal life in Bangalore, that is , if you can!
David Tusing: I do not know what exactly you mean by 'personal'. Right now, I am working with IBM as a content developer as part of my institute's industry-academia interface programme. They are paying me as well so I have no complaints.

My sister is studying her 12th standard in a school called Bethany High. I have a lot of friends.

So it's the regular movies, clubs and night-outs. I wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun while I can. Bangalore is a beautiful city. Nothing beats it.

E-Pao: What are the perks of winning this awards - or tell a bit more about this IBDAA award ?
David Tusing: If you are nominated, you get to travel to Dubai for free. We were put in a five-star suite. All food and transportation were taken care of. You did not have to spend anything.

There were ten winners in ten categories (print advertising, documentary film, photography etc). As a winner in the Journalism category, I get to go for a one-month internship with CNN in London. All expenses will be paid for, including my stay there.

E-Pao: What is your message to all the aspiring Manipuri student and the general public from you?
David Tusing: I am no one to give 'messages' already. But in my opinion, I think many of us from Manipur, when we go out of the state to study, suffer from a lot of complexes. We never think we can do better than the average Indian. As a result, we do not have big aspirations. We should dream big things for ourselves.

E-Pao: What is your plan for the future ?
David Tusing: There is nothing I love better than to write. Let's see what happens after my stint at CNN in London,

E-Pao: Who is your motivator (motivation) in winning this award ?
David Tusing: My entry for Ibda'a was not something that I did exclusively for the award. It was a small project for my college newspaper. It was my Journalism lecturer, Mr Ramesh Prabhu who thought it was a good idea to send it for competition.

E-Pao: Anything to you want to add ..
David Tusing: I'm grateful to my parents for so many opportunities they have given me. Thanks also to my institute and the Dean, Ms Ranita Hirji, without whom this would never have happened.

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